Splice-bar.



Patented Oct. 2|, I902. F. LIESKE.

SPLICE BARS.

{Application filed Mar. 19, 1902.) I

(No Model.)

UNITED STAT S FFIC FRANK LIESKE, OF MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN.

SPLICE-BAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,776, dated October 21, 1902.

Application filed March 19, 1902. Serial No. 99,004. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK LIESKEacitizen of the United States, residing at Marquette, in the county of Marquette and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Splice-Bars, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and usefulimprovementsinsplicebarsorrailroadjoints; and the main object of the same is to provide an organization of elements for effectively holding the conterminous ends of railroad-rails by establishing an under support therefor, as well as a lock for the nuts on the bolts connecting parts engaging the opposite webs of the rails.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of portions of rail-sections and a tie, showing the improved splice-bar or joint in connection therewith. vation of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the joint. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of one of the members of the splice-bar or joint. Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical section through one of the members of the splice-bar or joint, showing a slight modification in the construction.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts'in the several Views.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate rail-sections, and 3 a tie. As shown in the main figures of the drawings,fish-plates 4 are applied over the opposite webs of the rail-sections and secured in place by transversely-extending headed bolts 5, passing through the said fish-plates and webs and provided with securing-nuts 6, as in the ordinary rail construction. The splice-bar or connecting means comprises opposite member 7 and 8, each hav- I ing an inwardly-extending base-flange 9 and an upwardly and inwardly inclined binding flange 10, that of the member 8 being continued vertically into a vertical flange 11, having a plurality of angular nut-seats 12 in its upper edge portion to receive and lock the nuts 6. The locking-flange 11 bears against the adjacent fish-plate 4, whereas the flange Fig. 2 is a side ele-' of the member 7 terminally contacts with the opposite fish-plate near the lower edge of the same. Both flanges 10 extend over the base-flanges of the rail-sections, and the said base-flanges are housed and firmly held between the base-flanges 9 and said flanges 10. The base-flanges 9 of the opposite members have openings 13 extending transversely therethrough near the opposite ends, and

when the members are applied these openings are disposed in transverse alinement and have bolt-rods 14 inserted therethrough, provided with heads bearing against the outer edges of the base-flange of the memher 7 and nuts 15 on the opposite terminals bearing against the outer edge of the member 8. The outer edge of the base-flange 9 of the member 7 at the center is formed with an integral locking-rib 16, which is longitudinally disposed and has opposite enlarged ends 17 and an intermediate reduced web 18. The heads of the bolt-rods 14 are brought to bear against the enlarged ends 17, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, and a spike 19 is driven into the tie 3 and has its head extending over the reduced web 18 at the center, and through the medium of the said spike 19 the member7 is held firmly in place and prevented from sliding outwardly.

The member 8 at the center of the outer edge of the base-flange 9 is also formed with a 1011- gitudinally-extending rib 20, with a slot 21 extending vertically therethrough and opening outwardly therefrom, and above the upper edge of the said rib.20,'near opposite ends of the latter, are overhanging outwardly-projecting lugs 22. The nuts 15 of the bolt-rods 14 are secured against movement by a locking-bar 23, pushed inwardly between the upper edge of the rib and the lugs '22, the said locking-bar having a recess 24: in the under side thereof to fit over the rib 20 and having enlarged depending locking-heads 25 at opposite ends, which take up the space be-' tween the opposite ends of the rib and the nuts and lock the latter after they have been fully turned onto the bolt-rod ends. To secure the bar 23 in place, a spike 26 is employed, which is driven downwardly through the slot 21 into the tie and has its head eX- per edge of the said bar 23 at the center.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the members 7 and 8 are firmlylocked in applied position in relation to the rail and that-the nuts will remain in the secured position desired and will not be affected by vibration or pound on the rails. In applying the boltrods 14 they are first inserted through the base-flanges and the heads thereof brought against the opposite ends 17 of the rib 16. The nuts 15 are then applied over the screwthreaded extremities of the said rod, sufficient space existing between the opposite ends of the rib 20 and the position of the openings 13 to permit the said nuts 15 to be turned without obstruction. After the nuts 15 are applied on the bolt-rods the locking-bar 23 is placed in position, as heretofore explained and as clearly shown by Fig. 1. In applying the member 8 the vertical flange 11 is slipped under the nuts 6 in such manner as to cause the latter to enter the seats 12, and thereby hold the said nuts in firm applied position and to resist movement from vibration or other causes.

The modification shown by Fig. 5 embodies a simple change in the vertical flange 27, which replaces the fish-plate on that side and requires the use of a single fish-plate only, as will be readily understood.

The improved splice-bar or joint is so proportioned in relation to the rail-sections that allowance is made for expanding and contracting movement of the latter, and in its use the improved device overcomes the disadvantages and frequent dangerous results of the ordinary form of railroad-joint by preventing the rails from sinking or moving out of place by spreading and is particularly adapted for use on curves as well as on trestlework and bridges.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with rail-sections and a tie, of members engaging the rail-sections and provided with base-fianges,the base-flanges having ribs at the center of the outer edges thereof, boltrods extending transversely through the members adjacent to opposite ends, and bearing at one end against the opposite ends of one of the ribs, a locking-bar mounted over 7 the remaining rib to engage the locking devices at the opposite ends of the bolt-rods, and means for securing the members to the tie, and holding the locking-bar in place.

2. In a device of the class set forth, the combination with rail-sections and a tie, of members engaging the rail-sections and having base-flanges with ribs at the center of their outer edges, the one member having lugs projecting outwardly over the rib below, boltrods extending transversely through the members adjacent to the opposite ends and provided with heads at one end and nuts on the opposite end, the heads of the bolts hearing against the opposite ends of the rib of one member, a looking-bar inserted between the rib and lugs of the remaining member and having its ends engaging the nuts of the boltrods, and means for secu ring the members to the tie and holding the locking-bar in place.

3. In a device of the class set forth, the com- I bination with rail-sections having connecting fish-plates and nut-ted bolts extending therethrough, and a tie, of members provided with base-flanges and upwardly and inwardly extending bearing-flanges, the bearing-flange of the one member being continued into a vertical flange having nut-seats in its upper edge to receive the nuts of the bolts connecting the fish-plates, both members having ribs at the outer edges of the base-flanges and one provided with lugs extending over its rib, headed bolt-rods passed transversely through the members adjacent to opposite ends of the latter and supplied with nuts, the heads of the bolt-rods being disposed in contact with the opposite end of the rib of one member, a locking-bar inserted between the rib and lugs of the other member and having its end in engagement with the nuts of the bolt-rods, and means for securing the members to the tie and holding the locking-bar in place between the rib and lugs engaged thereby.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK LIESKE. W'itnesses:

E. D. MOSHER, CHAS. DEVONSHIRE. 

